Yes, A low price alternative IF it is the same unit. I would like to order one if I could find out IF they are the same or at the very least a few more features like DVI, Component Out, Optical Digital Output etc.???

I was somewhat surprised to see this just "pop up" on Circuit City's site. Great price though. I can live without the RF remote....I'm more interested in the menus/on screen guide. If this is supposed to be a "re-branded" LG/Sony....I havne't tested any current generation receivers other than the Hughes GCEBO's?GAEBOA'S....so am I to assume the on-screen graphics/menus won't be like the current Hughes receivers ?!?!:confused:

Circuit City is selling the new Hughes for $370 which is $200 less than the HD300. I was told by D* Engineering back in July that the forthcoming Hughes HD receiver was to be built my LG. I suspect its built on the HD300/LSS-3200A chassis but with such a price difference I also suspect its a bit feature stripped.

JFERG has already hinted that the Hughes will not include the RF remote option. My guess is that it doesn't stop there. Maybe other things are removed or scaled back.... I could suggest a few things, but wouldn't want to speculate.

Assuming the Hughes is the same as the Sony/LG now I understand more why the HD300 price dropped $130 within the first month of release. That said, I would suspect the Sony and LG to be in the $450 price range before year end!!!

I sure hope someone buys one of these new Hughes boxes real soon and does a compare to the Sony/LG. I've still got about 27 days to do an exhange with CC.

Just got off the phone with Hughes tech support that they confirmed that the HTL-HD has the following:

1 DVI Output
1 Component Output
1 S-Video Out
2 RCA Outputs

Only 3 Day Guide
No Caller ID
No Closed Captioning
NO RF

I'm still considering this receiver instead of the Sony or LG. I don't need RF and I let TIVO handle all of my guide questions. The questions about guide speed and antenna frequency will have to wait until someone actually get hold of one. Anyone?

There's one point made by the Hughes rep you spoke with that leads me to believe they don't know what they're talking about.....That is their claim of "no closed captioning". I think this is required by law......

Anyway, here's the questions I'd like answered:

1) Is this indeed built on the same chassis as the new LG and Sony?
2) Does it support ATSC, D* and cable/off air inputs that can all be mixed (like the LG and Sony)?
3) Does it support simultaneous 480i output
4) Does it include aspect ratio control of 1080i material?
5) Can 480/720/1080 be switched via remote?
6) 3 or 7 day guide?
7) VCR control?

Quote:

Originally posted by Lefty4Just got off the phone with Hughes tech support that they confirmed that the HTL-HD has the following:

1 DVI Output
1 Component Output
1 S-Video Out
2 RCA Outputs

Only 3 Day Guide
No Caller ID
No Closed Captioning
NO RF

I'm still considering this receiver instead of the Sony or LG. I don't need RF and I let TIVO handle all of my guide questions. The questions about guide speed and antenna frequency will have to wait until someone actually get hold of one. Anyone?

The main thrust of this thread is the new HUGHES HD D* sat receiver for just $369 (not a Motorola, not an OTA only box). I would be shocked if the Hughes didn't receive OTA HD, since I've never seen a D* HD STB that couldn't do this. I would also be shocked if this is another SonyHD300/LG clone, I'm sure it isn't. It will be very interesting to hear reports from those folks that get it. I may be wrong, but it seems that prior Hughes boxes didn't have many of the problems that some of the other STBs do. However, I would be surprised if the upconversion to 1080i is done as well as the LG versions. I think this capability probably drives up the price somewhat, but who knows?

I suspect the new Hughes will run much cooler without the need for fans. My new Sony HD300 runs cool and has no fans. Processing power and specialized digital TV components have improved significantly over the last 2+ years.

Quote:

Originally posted by jaypbHopefully they upgraded their cooling fan capability as well. Most Hughes HD STB owners *probably* want to know this ahead of time as well :confused:

Just put $80 down at Circuit City to lock in price. They said it should be here Friday. The price in the computer was $599 for existing customers and $549 for new, but they matched the website's price. Salesman had no idea about this receiver and also didn't know how long the price would be $369. I will post more once installed.

Originally posted by krbooJust put $80 down at Circuit City to lock in price. They said it should be here Friday. The price in the computer was $599 for existing customers and $549 for new, but they matched the website's price. Salesman had no idea about this receiver and also didn't know how long the price would be $369. I will post more once installed.

Circuit City is now selling the new Hughes receiver for $369 on their website. I haven't seen this box in any of their stores. They showed me the price in their computer at $599, but they matched their website's price.

Originally posted by krbooCircuit City is now selling the new Hughes receiver for $369 on their website. I haven't seen this box in any of their stores. They showed me the price in their computer at $599, but they matched their website's price.

Sorry, I thought I was on an HD300 thread. Almost had a heart attack, my 30 days was up yesterday. :-)

Ken and JFerg, good crossposts, but there are still a few things that aren't confirmed. Is scaling controllable via remote? Is A/R selectable via DVI? What other features are missing on this versus the LG/Sony models? Also, doesn't APG by definition mean that the guide integrates local, cable, and D* channels into one guide?